IllustrationHELLO I HAVE A BIG PROBLEM IN MY CAR TODAY WHEN IM DRIVE MY CAR I LOST THE CONTROL ON MY STEERING AND THE CAR WRITTEN (POWER STEERING /ESC OFF) AND THE STEERING DIDN'T MOVE LEFT OR RIGHT AND STILL LIKE THAT THAT'S ON WESTBROOK ST SOUTH PORTLAND ME I DON'T KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO IT WAS HARD.. THANKS.
2010 Chevrolet Malibu
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Malibu years
Owner complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1190–25K
12225–50K
22050–75K
24475–100K
256100–150K
110150K+
1,071 reports with mileage · 289 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 454 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 294 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 227 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
41 crash reports14 fire reports35 injury reports
What owners actually said
1,360 reportsHELLO I HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING WHEEL TODAY WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR THE STEERING STOPPED AND I LOST THE CONTROL AND THE CAR WRITTEN (POWER STEERING /ESC OFF) IT WAS VERY HARD NOW MY STEERING DOESN'T MOVE AND I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. THAT HAPPENED ON (WESTBROOK ST , SOUTH PORTLAND, ME) HOW CAN I FIX IT? CHEVROLET M…
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HELLO I HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING WHEEL TODAY WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR THE STEERING STOPPED AND I LOST THE CONTROL AND THE CAR WRITTEN (POWER STEERING /ESC OFF) IT WAS VERY HARD NOW MY STEERING DOESN'T MOVE AND I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. THAT HAPPENED ON (WESTBROOK ST , SOUTH PORTLAND, ME) HOW CAN I FIX IT? CHEVROLET MALIBU 2010 THANKS
THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL FEATURE MALFUNCTIONS AND SHUTS OFF EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. ALSO, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT TURN ON WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES WITH NORMAL PRESSURE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO TURN ON ONLY IF A VERY GREAT ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO, OCCASIONALLY…
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THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL FEATURE MALFUNCTIONS AND SHUTS OFF EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. ALSO, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT TURN ON WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES WITH NORMAL PRESSURE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO TURN ON ONLY IF A VERY GREAT ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO, OCCASIONALLY THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON WHEN I DO NOT PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL AT ALL.
ESC LIGHT IS COMING ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND WON'T TURN WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO WHILE PARKED. SHUTTING OFF CAR THEN TURNING BACK ON SOMETIMES RESETS IT BUT THE STEERING COLUMN IS ALSO VIBRATING AND ALMOST FEELS AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS GOING TO FALL OFF. STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO TWITCHING EVEN WHILE AT A STOP. MY VEHI…
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ESC LIGHT IS COMING ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND WON'T TURN WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO WHILE PARKED. SHUTTING OFF CAR THEN TURNING BACK ON SOMETIMES RESETS IT BUT THE STEERING COLUMN IS ALSO VIBRATING AND ALMOST FEELS AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS GOING TO FALL OFF. STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO TWITCHING EVEN WHILE AT A STOP. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF, ALL OIL CHANGES DONE ON TIME SND REGULAR MAINTAINCE.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOSE POWER OF STEERING. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ESC LIGHT. TOTALLY FREAKED ME OUT. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND TURN THE CAR OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL UNTIL LATER THAT DAY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPEN FOR THE LAST THR…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOSE POWER OF STEERING. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ESC LIGHT. TOTALLY FREAKED ME OUT. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND TURN THE CAR OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL UNTIL LATER THAT DAY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPEN FOR THE LAST THREE DAY. SOON AS I START THE CAR UP AND DRIVE FOR A 3 MILES THEN THE POWER STEERING GOES AND IF I STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART, IT GOES AWAY FOR A MOMENT AND THEN COMES BAC. I DON'T THINK THIS IS NORMAL. THIS IS HAPPENING AT ALL DIFFERENT RATE OF SPEED.
I STARTED THE CAR THEN BEGAN TO PULL AWAY FROM PARK. THE DRIVER'S INFO DISPLAY HAD A MESSAGE POP UP - SOMETHING ABOUT STEERING, OR ESC, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I THINK IT WENT OFF OR MAYBE IT WENT OFF WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF TO TRY AND RESET THE SYSTEM. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING WHEN I WAS STAR…
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I STARTED THE CAR THEN BEGAN TO PULL AWAY FROM PARK. THE DRIVER'S INFO DISPLAY HAD A MESSAGE POP UP - SOMETHING ABOUT STEERING, OR ESC, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I THINK IT WENT OFF OR MAYBE IT WENT OFF WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF TO TRY AND RESET THE SYSTEM. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING WHEN I WAS STARTING TO PULL AWAY FROM PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND IT SEEMED FINE. NOW, THERE IS A GRUMBLING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND WHEEL SHAKES A LITTLE. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON BUT I HAVE NOT HAD IT READ YET TO SEE WHAT CODES COME UP.
I WENT OUT TO MY CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE AND THE ESC IS THE POWER STEERING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT MOVE WAS IN THE BACK OF MY HOUSE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE HEAD LAMP AND PASSENGER SIDE HIGH AND LOW BEAM BLINKER LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE LIGHTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY, I FELT A SMALL JERKING TO THE LEFT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS STARTED ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2017 BETWEEN DRIVING FROM ONE WORK PLACE TO THE OTHER. THERE WERE NO ISSUES WHEN DRIVING IT HOME. NO ISSUES NOTICED ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 4TH WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS IN THE AM HOU…
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WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY, I FELT A SMALL JERKING TO THE LEFT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS STARTED ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2017 BETWEEN DRIVING FROM ONE WORK PLACE TO THE OTHER. THERE WERE NO ISSUES WHEN DRIVING IT HOME. NO ISSUES NOTICED ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 4TH WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS IN THE AM HOURS. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY JERKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. LATER ON THAT SATURDAY NIGHT THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT A RESTAURANT. WE TRAVELED ON THE CITY STREETS HOME BECAUSE IT WAS ALMOST A STRAIGHT DRIVE HOME FROM THE RESTAURANT. IT WAS VERY HARD FOR MY HUSBAND TO STEER THE CAR ON THE WAY HOME. THERE WAS NO POWER ASSIST AT ALL. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON OTHER MALIBU'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE. NOT SURE IF I REALLY WANT TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE TOMORROW FOR WORK WITH THIS ISSUE. I DO TRAVEL ON THE FREEWAY IN THE MORNINGS.
CAR WAS SERVICED FOR A 2014 RECALL BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATING IN REVERSE (ON WHEN FOOT IS OFF THE BRAKE AND OFF WHEN BRAKE IS PRESSED), PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE "FIX" THAT WAS APPLIED DURING THE RECALL WAS JUST A "BAND-AID" AND THAT THE BCM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. VERY UNSAFE CAR TO DRIVE SINCE …
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CAR WAS SERVICED FOR A 2014 RECALL BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATING IN REVERSE (ON WHEN FOOT IS OFF THE BRAKE AND OFF WHEN BRAKE IS PRESSED), PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE "FIX" THAT WAS APPLIED DURING THE RECALL WAS JUST A "BAND-AID" AND THAT THE BCM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. VERY UNSAFE CAR TO DRIVE SINCE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE TELLING THE DRIVERS BEHIND YOU THAT YOU ARE NOT STOPPING WHEN, IN FACT, YOU ARE STOPPING. WITH MORE AND MORE DISTRACTED DRIVERS ON THE ROAD, WHO RELY ON SEEING BRAKE LIGHTS IN THEIR PERIPHERAL VISION IN ORDER TO AVOID A COLLISION, THE DANGER IS INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND WAS ASKED "WHAT DO YOU WANT US TO DO?", WHICH BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP ME. THIS NEEDS TO FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR GRAVELY INJURED.
Official recalls
319V019000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jan 16, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N182206630.
14V252000 · Electrical System:wiring; Electronic Stability Control (esc); Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
May 14, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Electrical System:wiring
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
12V460000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Sep 18, 2012
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.